View By Holiday Type

Map of Uganda

Uganda Holidays

Called the ‘Pearl of Africa’ by Winston Churchill, Uganda is certainly brimming with wildlife experiences including tracking mountain gorillas, shadowing a troupe of chimpanzees and spotting the Big Five. Uganda was widely considered Africa’s foremost safari holiday destination in the 1960’s, which is easy to believe as you travel to the heart of the rugged wilderness on the easy to navigate network of roads or, if you are pushed for time, taking advantage of the domestic flights. Uganda receives fewer visitors than neighbouring Kenya and Tanzania meaning your wildlife adventures in this diverse country will have a wonderful feeling of seclusion.

Uganda is full of cosy and relaxing accommodation in picturesque locations, the ideal places for you to unwind during your trip. You’ll hear the welcoming cries of ‘Hello Mzungu!’ from friendly Ugandans as you arrive at your lodge, always excited to proudly share their incredible home with you. Alongside all the adventurous peregrinations into the rainforest it is possible to enjoy exhilirating game drives and boat excursions.

We offer a range of small intimate group tours created by Craig Kaufman - who spent four years living in the country and managing lodges there - as well as tailor made Uganda holidays ranging from five to 17 days. Slightly smaller than the UK and astonishingly diverse, holidays to Uganda are a unique experience filled with authentic wildlife spotting opportunities.

Following in the primate’s footsteps

Nothing matches the breath-taking atmosphere of coming into contact and sharing the dense jungle with mountain gorillas. Resting on the edge of Rift Valley sits the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a dense mist-covered rainforest amongst the volcanic hills sheltering gorillas, chimpanzees, the golden monkeys of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, black-and-white colobus and blue monkeys. Although gorilla tracking can be hard work, nothing compares to the golden hour you will spend watching these magnificent creatures, peering at each other through the leaves of the rich, verdant forest. After the adrenaline rush of your gorilla encounter, you will be looking for a comfortable resting place to rest your feet close to the park. Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge provides the perfect answer. Beautifully located, the en- suite rooms provide stunning views of the rainforest and the Virunga volcano chain from your private veranda.

An alternative, yet no less fascinating or exhilarating, primate experience is a visit to the Kibale Forest. Journeying through the gorgeous tropical forest, your guide will lead you to a barrel of chimpanzees where you will observe these energetic wild animals swinging from the trees up above, playing together and setting up their nests for their nights sleep. Kibale is also famed for its other primates, including several species of monkeys.

­Spotting the Big Five

Journey over to the south-west of the country to the Queen Elizabeth National Park, the most visited national park of Uganda thanks to its great faunal diversity including 100 mammal species. The park is a great venue for watching the dramatic natural showdown of predator versus prey amongst the grasslands, with more than 20 predator species being found there. They include lion, jackal and the ever elusive leopard.

The swamps of Lake Edwards Flats - just like those in Mabamba and the Nile Delta near Murchison Falls - are a rewarding site in which you will seek the intriguing shoebill. Standing at an impressive five feet with a wingspan of over eight feet, a sighting of this bird menacingly snapping and clicking its huge bill at lungfish is another fantastic wildlife experience to tick off in the Ugandan wildlife to-spot list.

*Please note: Uganda visas must now be applied for on-line prior to travel.